Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry Signs Bill Freeing Horse Teeth Floaters

Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry Signs Bill Freeing Horse Teeth Floaters

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Press Release | April 16, 2010

Director of Communications

Oklahoma City, Okla.—Today, Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry signed into law H.B. 3202, which will allow horse teeth floaters to continue to earn an honest living filing down horse teeth. The new law will create jobs, competition and provide horse owners the choice of who they hire to perform this service.

“Freedom has been a long time coming,” said Bob Griswold, a floater for Geary, Okla. “I am thrilled Governor Henry recognized my right to pursue the occupation that I am trained to do and my customers want me to do. This new law makes clear that Oklahoma stands for economic liberty for those willing to master a craft. It clears the way for us to compete by offering the best services at the best prices.”

The new law requires the Oklahoma Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners to license any practitioner who provides proof of either 80 hours of hands-on training in horse teeth floating at a recognized dentistry school, or certification by the International Association of Equine Dentistry or similar private certification organization. The licensing requirement also includes an annual payment of $200 and four hours of annual continuing education.

Importantly, the new law also exempts farriery and all other animal husbandry practices from being regulated by the Oklahoma Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners.

“The new law stops bureaucrats from standing between animal owners and those who offer animal husbandry services, like floating and shoeing,” said Lee McGrath of the Institute for Justice, a public interest law firm that has litigated and lobbied for horse teeth floaters in Minnesota, Texas and Oklahoma. “This is a step in the right direction towards economic liberty for farmers, cattlemen and other animal owners across Oklahoma.”

“Horse owners across Oklahoma told legislators and Governor Henry that they wanted the freedom to choose who worked on their horses’ teeth,” said McGrath. “That simple but powerful idea championed by principled grassroots supporters won the day over the monied-interests desperate to keep horse teeth floaters from earning an honest living in Oklahoma.”